Cheapest and Most Affordable Online Colleges of 2024
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2024A college degree, in this economy? You can totally do it — you just have to be strategic.
These cheap online degree programs can save you money while also providing the flexibility you need to attend school while holding down a job, raising a family, and balancing other obligations.
Featured Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Most Affordable Online Colleges of 2024
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled55,781
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Weber State University
- Ogden, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,329
- Out-of-state$15,745
- In-State$7,880
- Out-of-state$17,459
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled29,774
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana University-Kokomo
- Kokomo, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,170
- Out-of-state$20,277
- In-State$7,613
- Out-of-state$17,935
- Retention Rate60%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled2,995
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate38%
- Students Enrolled36,484
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
Florida State University
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,640
- Out-of-state$19,084
- In-State$9,684
- Out-of-state$24,116
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled45,130
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,522
- Out-of-state$14,374
- In-State$5,467
- Out-of-state$16,695
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled30,155
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate100%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled17,135
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,344
- Out-of-state$19,926
- In-State$6,138
- Out-of-state$14,760
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled15,328
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,749
- Out-of-state$27,201
- In-State$6,970
- Out-of-state$24,607
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled34,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2024. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
How Can I Afford College?
If you’re reading this, you probably know how tough it can be to get ahead in this country without a bachelor’s degree.
It’s no secret that college can be super expensive. So expensive, in fact, that 62% of Americans believe financial challenges make going to college inaccessible. But there are a few things you can do to make college cost less.
How to Afford College
- Transfer credits from a community college or previous college enrollment.
- Choose a school that will apply work or volunteer experience towards your degree requirements.
- Apply for as many types of financial aid as you can.
- Accept tuition reimbursement from your employer.
But the number one thing you can do to make college cheaper? Pick an affordable school.
And we can help with that.
Options on our new list of online bachelor’s degree programs offer the best cost/benefit ratio on the market. Build the future you want — on your own schedule — without breaking the bank.
Is Online College Worth It?
Yes, because a college degree can help you earn more money:
- In 2023, the median earnings of workers (age 25 and over) with a bachelor’s degree were about 66% higher than the median earnings of those with only a high school diploma.
Yes, because a college degree also impacts your lifetime earnings:
- According to another Georgetown University study, the median lifetime earnings for college grads ($2.3 million) with a bachelor’s are roughly 75% more than the expected earnings of workers with only a high school diploma ($1.3 million).
Yes, because the right degree can make you more employable:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college grads are half as likely to be unemployed as workers with only a high school diploma.
- Cengage Group’s 2022 Employability Report found that 62% of employers require a college degree for all entry-level positions.
Yes, because research shows that many college graduates enjoy a higher quality of life:
- Bachelor’s degree holders are 47% more likely to have health insurance through their jobs, according to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
- These workers also receive 74% more in health coverage contributions from employers than non-college grads.
- People with four-year degrees even live longer: A recent study published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that, since 2010, the life expectancy of people without a degree has steadily decreased while the life expectancy of college graduates has increased.
Yes, because online degrees are more mainstream than ever:
- A 2023 national survey found that online learners reported a higher rate of satisfaction with their educational experience (73%) than in-person students at four-year colleges and community colleges.
- According to a report by Northeastern University, a majority of employers (61%) see online credentials as
equivalent to or in some cases better than on-campus study.
How to Make Online College Worth It for You
That’s not to say the road will be easy.
Our research shows that 65% of online students have full- or part-time jobs, and 91% have kids at home under the age of 18. Throw college into the mix, and things can get really overwhelming, really quickly.
As a result, working students, part-time students, and independent students have much lower graduation rates than traditional, full-time students.
But you can do this. Preparation is half the battle. Here’s how to make it to the finish line and get the best return on your investment:
1. Know Exactly What You Want From Your Degree
Ask yourself: Why are you going to college now? What is your desired outcome?
If you want access to higher-paying jobs, be strategic about your choice of major. Some degrees lead to better-paying jobs than others. In 2024, the 10 highest-earning bachelor’s degrees included chemical engineering, computer engineering, and aerospace engineering.
If you’re looking to advance in your current field, focus on a degree path that will give you the specific credentials you need to get ahead.
2. Plan for Obstacles
Online students say that work/life balance is one of their biggest obstacles to success. Earning an online degree while also managing responsibilities outside of school requires a lot of planning, discipline, and grit. You’ll have to:
- Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Don’t burn yourself out by signing up for too many courses at a time.
- Be mindful of your time management. Each term, carve out blocks of dedicated study time and protect that schedule with your life.
- Put a support system in place. Reach out to employers, friends, family members, neighbors, and peers you can count on for emotional or practical help.
3. Choose a Program That Fits Your Needs
Even the best students need help sometimes. Make sure you consider what student services each school offers in terms of support and flexibility:
- Will you have access to tutoring, mental health support, and career guidance?
- Will your classes be synchronous or asynchronous?
- Will instructors be flexible and understanding?
- Will you have opportunities to network and build professional relationships?
All of this might sound like a lot, but remember that 96% of online college graduates recommend online learning as a path to success. Soon enough — with the right planning and a good program — you can be one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Online Colleges
Online college may be more affordable than a traditional four-year degree if you take into account the following:
- No lost wages: One of the biggest benefits of online schooling is the flexibility it gives you to work and study at the same time. You can pursue a degree without any gaps in your earnings.
- No commute: Far from campus? No problem. Gas prices won’t get you down when your commute is from your bedroom to your dining room table.
- Fewer on-campus fees: Online students may be exempted from fees pertaining to on-campus amenities and services.
If you’re only considering out-of-pocket costs, online programs aren’t necessarily more affordable. According to a 2020 report from Quality Matters and Eduventures Research, most schools charge about the same tuition for online and campus-based programs.
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